The Tandayapa Bird Lodge is a fantastic destination for birders and photographers. They have created a very comfortable lodge with good food at a reasonable price, especially considering the immense logistical challenges facing such a facility. I spent four days there in January, 2012, with a small group of bird photographers. I highly recommend it.

The lodge is quite difficult to get to from Quito. It involves a few hours of bumpy roads with many cliff side drop-offs and steep hills. And the final climb up the many steps to the lodge from the parking lot is a test that some found difficult at that altitude. But once you have made the climb and your breath returns, the surroundings quickly make it all worth while.

Needless to say, the hummingbird activity is breathtaking for us from the northern latitudes. We photographed over 20 species - and that is just at their feeders which are always well stocked. Also hanging around the lodge area are trogons, toucanets, tanagers, euphonias and many other tropical gems. There are several trails that offer a way to explore the forest away from the lodge. Some trails can be wet and slippery although most people that would venture to such a place should not have difficulties navigating them. Hiking boots are a big advantage.

I can't say that the food was to die for. It was very good. No complaints. But if you expect top level resort quality food you may be a bit disappointed. There is no custom ordering (unless you have notified them of special needs) - they prepare only one dish per meal and that is what everyone eats. Personally I was pleased at the quality that they were able to deliver. One other caution - the coffee there and at nearly all other Ecuador lodges is terrible. They don't "get" coffee and you might do well to bring along a can of your favourite ground coffee and a small bodem and make your own. The lodge staff watched us with amusement as we prepared our own coffee in the mornings and they all agreed that ours was far superior. But I expect they will continue to make the same old coffee that resembles tar by taste and smell and needs to be watered down with large amounts of hot water and milk to be consumable.

The rooms are all in a wing of the lodge so no need to make late night runs through the rain forest to a cabin. Each room contains a bathroom. The rooms are very comfortable but they are quite small. The bathrooms are adequate but basic. Hot water for showers was abundant - not so at many other lodges. The nights are quiet and peaceful - no noisy generators or other sounds to disturb your sleep (except maybe the odd rainforest critter).

The staff at the lodge are very friendly, although most have little command of the English language. So communication can be both fun and challenging if you do not speak Spanish. Fortunately the lodge manager, who is usually on site, is bilingual so most matters can be sorted out one way or another.

Service was top notch. Prices were very reasonable. The surroundings are terrific. If you are willing to accept the few caveats mentioned it's hard to imagine you would be anything but happy with the Tandayapa Bird Lodge.

We are not big birders (just love nature) but the three days we spent at Tandayapa were very good. The facility itself is very comfortable; the food, especially the soups, were extremely tasty. The deck with the hummingbirds were great fun. The property and its environs exploded with birds and sounds and beautiful flowers. For those of us who need help spotting, identifying and even attracting birds with whistling, ipod apps and tiny loudspeakers and telescopes, a first rate guide is crucial. We had such a person in Iris Schriefer. She was great...and a very nice person too. Very professional. German, spoke excellent English and Spanish, has lived in Ecuador for a number of years, extremely knowledgeable about birds, plants, flowers. Ask Tandayapa to have her guide you. You won't be disappointed.

This lodge is in the middle of nowhere, frequented by more birds and hummingbirds than you can believe. The only access was on foot or by mule but also the accommodation rooms and the food was top class. I cannot believe it is possible to do this on this location. It is only possible because the staff are top class. Give it a go, you will not be disappointed.

This is a very special place! Following a steady upward climb of approximately 20 minutes from road to lodge, we were delighted to take off our hiking boots and settle into our room, which was actually quite new, very clean and large, and included an entire back wall of glass overlooking the cloud forest. The alfresco dining is another short hike up from the group of rooms we stayed in, but the reward is hummingbirds, many, many species and all in abundance, at the feeders surrounding the dining area. While the trails on the property did not produce many birds for us, 6:30 a.m. at the dining area promises not only all the coffee you want, but also tons of birds within 10 to 20 feet of your java! But a great lodge is often the result of special people and this lodge has Estalon and his wife. From carrying our heavy duffles up and down the trail, to pointing out every bird he could possibly find for us, to serving up meals dressed in his finest black-and-white checked vest and dress slacks, Estalon is a gentle (and silent) warrior. I promise you, if you stay for over two days you will want to bring him home with you! Meals here are simple, but tasty and yes, feel free to have a glass of wine with your dinner! The famous Nono-Mindo birding road runs through here (well, back down at the bottom of the mountain that is) so it's an excellent idea to get a bird guide and transportation and spend a day birding this road. We stayed three nights and two full days. Perfect.